SAINTS have been very well blessed with recruits from Wales over the years - and that journey north was a well-worn path in the last century.

And the club struck gold when they signed Stuart Marshall ‘Steve’ Llewellyn, who played at Knowsley Road between 1949-1958.

Here was a man who made an impression on the pitch with his remarkable scoring feats, but also off it where it put down roots in town - and was a hugely respected figure within the world of education.

St Helens Star:

Born in Abertillery, South Wales, Stuart or 'Steve' Llewellyn was originally too small for rugby and played soccer through school and at Caerleon Teacher Training College.

He joined the Welsh Guards in 1943, seeing considerable action, including fierce fighting on the Anzio beaches in Italy and gained the rank of sergeant.

Llewellyn started to play rugby after his demob, joining Abertillery in 1945-46, and was on the verge of moving to play for Northampton RUFC, when he caught the eye of the Saints’ Directors at a Monmouth v Glamorgan match.

They went to sign forward George Parsons and stand-off Terry Cook and signed Parsons and Llewellyn instead, the latter for a mere £600!

St Helens Star:

Both Llewellyn and Parsons, who attended the same school in Abertillery, made their First Team debuts at home to Rochdale Hornets on 24th January 1948.

At 6 foot and 12 and a half stone, Llewellyn reminded older Saints’ spectators of the great Alf Ellaby and was soon a regular try-scorer with his change of pace and deceptive body-swerve.

He formed one of the best partnerships in the league with local-born centre Duggie Greenall and his swallow-dive finish over the try-line thrilled countless thousands of spectators during his ten years at Knowsley Road.

Arguably the best right winger never to play for Great Britain, Steve scored a try in both his Wembley appearances for St. Helens, including a touchdown in the club's first-ever Challenge Cup success in 1956.

St Helens Star:

Indeed, one of Steve’s greatest moments was in the 1956 re-played Challenge Cup Semi-final against Barrow, at Central Park, Wigan. His crucial try in extra time, with the match still scoreless, was the stuff of legends.

A Welsh rugby league international, with four caps, he scored six tries on two occasions for the Saints - a record that has not been bettered.

St Helens Star:

A tremendously popular and respected figure, he taught at Parr and Grange Park Secondary Schools in St Helens and, shortly after his retirement as a player, became ‘A’ Team Trainer at Knowsley Road for several seasons before school commitments took over.

St Helens Star:

Steve is a member of the Saints’ Past Players Hall of Fame and took a Benefit in the 1954-55 season.

He scored 239 tries in 287 appearances for his adopted club and lies fourth in the all-time try-scorers list, with only Alf Ellaby, Les Jones and Tom van Vollenhoven above him.